Metro: Crossing the distance to the first world

It was a perfect Christmas present for Delhi in 2002. On December 25, the first Metro Rail service rolled out in the city.

For Delhi's harried commuters who had to choose between packed, noisy buses and driving their own cars, the metro was a welcome and long overdue change. In the quiet airconditioned confines of the metro coaches passenger discovered that there was indeed a better way to commute.

It was also a matter of pride for a nation that aspired to bring world-class amenities to its citizens. Completed in seven years and nine months against its projected 10-year deadline, the Delhi Metro became a showcase of Indian efficiency and quality on a scale never attempted before.

"It will change the way the city grows," says Madhav Pai, program director for India at Embarq, a firm that works on sustainable transport solutions.

A study on traffic and transportation in 1990 uncovered the need for a mass rail-based transport system. Construction began in October 1998 on the largest project in urban transport since India's independence.

The first phase of the network covers 65 km along 59 stations. It was built at a cost of Rs 10,571 crore.

The second phase is partly operational covering 125km and 83 stations. It includes the Airport Express Line and other lines that will be operational by 2011.

The Delhi Metro now reaches out to Gurgaon, Noida, and Faridabad in Delhi's National Capital Region. Importantly, it addresses the serious and massive challenge of urban transportation that's been the bane of India's cities. Delhi, for one, has more road vehicles than the other three metros put together. Reducing the load on the city's vehicular traffic and thereby helping cut emission

levels was arguably the Metro's biggest contribution. But it's also a mindset change. Now DMRC is bringing its expertise to help build the Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai metros as well.

While the metro is one answer to growing pressure on India's existing transport systems, it is by no means the best or the only one, says Pai.

"It is better than building roads and flyovers but there are cheaper alternatives. You can, for instance, build a world class BRT system for one-tenth the cost."

It is estimated that by 2030 nearly half of India's population could be living in urban centres, putting immense pressure on its urban public transport infrastructure. No wonder that transportation projects are attracting global investments, and the government's attention.

Recently, at the 3rd Urban Mobility India Conference, Union minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy stressed upon the need for incentivising the use of public transport by all city commuters. "There is a need for encouraging public transport in Indian cities and states," he said.